Babies 'R' Us Settles Same-Sex Harassment Case

November 15, 2002 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - A former
Babies "R" Us employee who claimed he was sexually harassed
and once forcibly partially undressed has won a $205,000
lawsuit settlement, the US Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission (EEOC) said.

According to an Associated Press story, the EEOC reached
the out-of-court agreement on behalf of Andres Vasquez with
the Paramus, New Jersey-based Toys “R” Us, which owns
Babies “R” Us.

The EEOC said Vasquez began working at a New Jersey
Babies “R” Us store in February 2000, but quit seven months
later, claiming he was the target of derogatory and
unwelcome comments.

Spokesman Edward McCaffrey said other co-workers felt
Vasquez did not meet stereotypes of how men should look or
behave. “His mannerisms were viewed by his co-workers as
not masculine enough,” McCaffrey told the Associated
Press.

According to the EEOC, the company took no corrective
action even when, at one point, Vasquez claimed co-workers
forcibly stripped him of his pants and underpants. The EEOC
ruled that Vasquez’ federal civil rights had been violated
by being subject to a sexually hostile work environment and
filed suit.

As part of the agreement submitted to US District
Judge William Bassler, Babies “R” Us admitted no
wrongdoing in the case, but will instruct all New Jersey
workers annually about federal anti-discrimination laws,
the AP reported.